That was from a video I took on November 9th, 2014 of Gabriel (Gabe) Jebb kiting without a helmet in flyable conditions while instructing students at the Torrey Pines Gliderport.

I published that video, and subsequently got this email message from USHPA's President, Rich Hass 19 days (what a coincidence!) later:

Rich Hass on 11/28/2014 04:13:47 PM wrote:

Bob,

You should be pleased to know; earlier this week, the EC voted to amend the safety requirements in SOP 12-01.05 to to require members to wear a helmet whenever they are hooked into their glider. It will take a few days to get the SOP updated and posted on the USHPA website. USHPA will make reference to the updated requirement in its next members newsletter.

Thanks,

Rich Hass

Here's what that SOP states:

USHPA SOP 12.01-05 Equipment wrote:

B. Other Equipment1. It is required that pilots wear protective headgear whenever they are in their harness and hooked-in or otherwise attached to their glider.

That's pretty clear. And that was November of 2014. Let's fast forward to today ...

Today (March 13th, 2016) I witnessed exactly the same behavior that I recorded on November 9th of 2014. Gabriel "Gabe" Jebb was kiting his paraglider while instructing a student at Torrey Pines without wearing a helmet (sorry about the dust in my camera):

USHPA collected money from its members to form a Risk Retention Group under the pretense that USHPA would be more serious about fixing the safety violations that led to USHPA's uninsurability.

What actions you will you be taking with this serial offender?

Bob Kuczewski858-204-7499

There's more to today's events than I've posted here, but it will take some time to compile it all. It will be interesting to see what USHPA does differently now that they're really "getting serious" about safety problems.

Any predictions about what will happen to Gabe Jebb's instructor/tandem certification?

My research indicates a probability of lip service with a chance of crocodile tears.-----------lip service -Verbal expression of agreement or allegiance, unsupported by real conviction or action; hypocritical respectInsincere support or respect expressed but not put into practiceinsincere profession of friendship, admiration, support, etc.; service by words only.An expression of agreement that is not supported by real convictionhypocrisy, dissembling, feigning, pretense, pretence - pretending with intention to deceive

Crocodiles were once thought to shed large tears before devouring their prey. This belief, which dates to ancient times, comes from the fact that crocodiles have small ducts in the corner of their eyes which release “tears” when the crocodile opens its jaws wide. Obviously, a cold-blooded reptile has no real feelings of sympathy for its prey.----------------------------------The "prey" in this instance seems to be the RRG. You paid for it.Now you get to watch the soaring parachutists destroy it.----------------------------------Is there hope? Yes! Become a Friend of Bob.Strategies that can help change bad behavior

PrecontemplationIf you’re in the precontemplation stage of change, it means that you’re not yet ready to change because you haven’t acknowledged there is a problem and you’re in denial. If you are reading this, it may be because another person — such as a family member, friend or therapist — has directed you to do so. At this stage you need factual information about the problematic behavior. It will help you understand real and actual consequences and be better equipped to make an informed decision about whether to quit the behavior.

ContemplationAt the contemplation stage of change you’re thinking about the pros and cons of continuing the problematic behavior vs. quitting, but you’re still undecided. Talk to a professional about what you think would have to happen to lead to change. Use that person to bounce off the relative merits of continuing or quitting the behavior and they will help you come to an informed decision. Clinical psychologists are well trained in getting you to think through these sorts of issues in a productive way while remaining nonjudgmental and accepting of who you are. They can assist you to make changes quicker than if you were left unaided.

PreparationIn this stage of change you have decided that quitting is the way to go and you are preparing yourself for taking action on your decision. Gather information on behavior change programs or therapists specializing in the kind of behavior change you wish to make so you can choose which one would best suit your needs.

ActionIn this stage of change, you are already changing. You will need support and encouragement along the way by people who can facilitate your attendance in the program of your choice, e.g., by organizing transport, discussing issues raised in group, helping with homework tasks and reinforcing your efforts to change. Engage your family and friends in facilitating change by attending individual or groups sessions with you. Get them to help you make records of your progress.

MaintenanceIn this stage of change you need to continue to reinforce, support and encourage the behavior changes you have already made. It’s still early days and temptations may still loom, although probably not with the same strength they used to. Enlist support to help you to continue on your recovery path and to consolidate and internalize the changes. Your new healthy behavior may not have taken root just yet and like a young sapling, could be easily trampled underfoot.

TerminationCongratulations, the behaviour is no longer a problem for you!

Rick Masters predicted: "lip service with a chance of crocodile tears".

It's in your region. What do you say? What will you do?

Let me also remind you that my expulsion was based partially on retaliation for me reporting just such an incident in late 2014. As I predicted, USHPA's actions in expelling the person reporting the violations sent a strong message to Jebb that he could do whatever he wanted with no repercussions. The photos from yesterday prove that I was right. But USHPA would rather shoot the messenger than fix the problems. Again, what will YOU do?

What should I do? Should I pin my decision to renew $150.00 membership in USHPA or not on whether or not Gabe Jebb's instructor rating undergoes at least a short suspension? (Maybe even just a verbal smack down at least.)Why is it that I think if I did do that - I wouldn't be sending money in for membership renewal.

I could stay in for one more year writing more emails to RD's, coming from a paid up member, (as if that has worked for me in the past.) Or follow Rick Masters advice and realize that USHPA is confident with their monopoly and secure in their feeling that they hold all the cards.

Anyway, I'll be looking closely for some type of a response immediately and not after the next quarterly meeting.

Or follow Rick Masters advice and realize that USHPA is confident with their monopoly and secure in their feeling that they hold all the cards.

My advice to hang glider pilots is to form a national recreational hang gliding association. Rather than attempt to change the USHPA, walk away and start over.That corporation is dominated by paragliding and business interests antithetical to recreational hang gliding.Realize that an alternative association will stand on equal footing with the USHPA in the eyes of the FAA.

My displeasure with the USHPA is a result of recreational hang gliding being forced into a destructive marriage with the most dangerous forms of parachuting - paragliding and speedflying - and rampant joyriding for profit disguised as instruction.Did hang glider pilots really ask for this?The ones who did not ask for it need to form a national recreational hang gliding association.There is none, right now.Wasting time arguing with USHPA is pointless but it works in their favor because nothing gets accomplished in forming the new association.

What were the exact wind conditions at the time? where on the grass did it take place? for how long? we need exact details. If he is too fat to get airborne there is no risk to the sport. If the RRG which is a separate corporation doesn't prosecute, we can sue the RRG as being a fraudulent paraglider front money laundering company.

What were the exact wind conditions at the time? where on the grass did it take place? for how long? we need exact details. If he is too fat to get airborne there is no risk to the sport. If the RRG which is a separate corporation doesn't prosecute, we can sue the RRG as being a fraudulent paraglider front money laundering company.

I don't think anyone needs to put forth any effort getting details the SOP language looks like a slam dunk.

Quote:

USHPA SOP 12.01-05 Equipment wrote:B. Other Equipment1. It is required that pilots wear protective headgear whenever they are in their harness and hooked-in or otherwise attached to their glider.

D.H.M, you are correct. If the RRG doesn't respond to the infraction pictured it would look suspicious to pilots funding the RRG. Good Point

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